On November 7, 2017 I voted for the Constitutional Convention because I thought it was our best chance to fix the broken political system in New York, and our best chance to advance a progressive agenda at the local level. Most New Yorkers did not share this belief. Only 17% of New Yorkers voters voted in favor of the ballot proposition to hold a constitutional convention. Most of the registered voters in New York stayed home - in NYC, less than 14% of registered voters turned out to the polls. For those who voted, the resounding reason for voting against the ConCon was fear that the process would be manipulated to attack things like pensions that are currently protected.

The argument of fear was simpler than the argument for hope. Most of the political organizations trusted by New Yorkers were making the fear argument, and spending many millions more than the pro constitutional convention advocates. On the other hand, the pro ConCon argument was nuanced and complicated. When I was evaluating the potential of a ConCon I went through the following arguments:

Policies at the state level effect things I care about (scroll to the bottom to see a list of things I care about)

Progressive policy changes at the state level are thwarted by the IDC and a culture of corruption

Many policies at the local New York City level cannot be enacted without permission from the state (through a state law, or change to the state constitution that devolves more power to the local level)

Political structures imbedded in the New York State constitution encourage corruption, suppress voter turnout, and perpetuate gerrymandering, making it very difficult to push for “ethics reform” at the state level

The once every 20 year ballot proposition for a constitutional convention was a unique opportunity to sidestep the imbedded political structures

The ConCon process was likely to produce progressive results, and there were enough safeguards in place to protect against disastrous outcomes like pension clawbacks

I was convinced that the opportunity of a ConCon significantly outweighed the risks. But when I encouraged people to vote for the ConCon I had to fight an uphill battle convincing people that the risk to pensions being cut was overblown, and that progressives had a bigger advantage than big right wing money. Since every union and many progressive organizations (ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Working Family Party) was against the ConCon, it was hard to make the case that what the ConCon could accomplish was not a pipe dream and that it was the best chance we had to fix the structural corruption in state politics that is thwarting progressive politics at the local level.

In the end it got boiled down to hope vs. fear. Most New Yorkers (including some or many of my progressive friends) voted on the fear side or did not vote at all. The chance at another ConCon initiated by the people will not come for another 20 years. I am disappointed, but in the lead up to the vote I had some of the most interesting political conversations I’ve ever had in my life. Many people I know were willing to get into the nuance of the arguments, and it was awesome to have debates about grand changes to the political structures around us that were not connected to the specifics of electing an individual to represent us.

I respect the fear vote on the ConCon. But if we want to fight for grand changes in New York, corruption and election reform at the state still needs to be addressed. Now that the ConCon path is closed, all paths to remake New York electoral politics go through elected officials. I hope that my friends who did not vote for the ConCon (and all of the progressive organizations that spent large sums to defeat it) devote the energy needed to fix New York state politics through other means. It is important that we all educate ourselves about the paths now available. ConCon was complicated; the paths open for reform now are even more so.

What will taking power away from the IDC accomplish? It will give the power in the State legislature to the Democratic party, which would be much more likely to enact corruption and voting reform, as well as pass a whole slew of new progressive legislation. I do not see electing more Democrats as the path to systemic change, but rather as an important tactical step in New York.

Electoral politics still not your thing or seems like a waste of time? I get it. See my list of some things that I think are important to do. If you are doing any of these things, great. Just also vote in local elections.

We need to fight fascists and actual nazis.

We need to defend our neighbors from ICE.

We need to hold police accountable for shootings of black and brown people.

We need the courage to add our voices to the #metoo movement, or support those holding toxic masculinity accountable.

We need local resiliency and action in the face of climate change.

We need to build a solidarity economy.

We need a sustainable local food system that nourishes us all.

We need to protect lands sacred to native peoples.

We need compassionate responses to the most vulnerable amongst us living on the streets, struggling with addiction, battling for mental health.

We need to desegregate our schools.

We need to protect pedestrians and cyclists by rethinking our city streets.

We need to fight cuts to health care, public housing, and all existing safety nets, and build new ones at the local level when the federal government is failing and falling apart.

We need to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor, not the reverse.

New Yorkers - please vote on November 7th. I know it seems unimportant, since our mayoral race and many others are as good as decided, but there is one very important ballot initiative. It's worth a trip to the polls.

You may have heard people talking about the Constitutional Convention, or #ConCon. It is written into the New York State Constitution that people in New York City have the opportunity -- if we vote yes -- to have a Constitutional Convention. At a Constitutional Convention, we can change our city's relationship to the state, get more power and control, or give some up. It's a bit controversial, and it's very important. I plan to vote yes...

If you get inspired by the possibility of remaking our state politics, talk to your NY friends and family about the #ConCon. This opportunity only happens once every 20 years!

Brief moralistic plea:

National politics offer a depressing lack of opportunity for change.

Local politics is where amazing progressive change is happening. Local government and communities like NYC are resisting Trump policies, from immigration, climate change, and criminal justice reform. We can do more if we push out local government to do more. Elections are one part of that. So vote on November 7.

The Constitutional Convention:

This year in the general election, New Yorkers vote on the ballot initiative: "Shall there be a constitutional convention?"

If you are a registered voter in New York, I think this is the most important vote of the year.

I'm voting yes.

Why?

1. We can fix structural political corruption in NY State.New York State politics has been rated as one of the most corrupt. The first thing a constitutional convention can do--which is unlikely through the regular state legislative process--is to build anti-corruption measures into the state constitution. A whole host of election reforms are also much more possible in a constitutional convention, including early voting, same day voter registration, term limits, and getting gerrymandering out of redistricting (a mouthful, but very important).

2a. We can expand progressive projects like criminal justice reform, universal healthcare, constitutional protection for equal rights, environmental protection, and legalized marijuana. Yes, some of these things can be done through the regular legislative process, but see item 1 for why many of them won't.

2b. We can enhance worker protections and expand pensions to more people. Separating this from 2a because much of the opposition to the convention has come from unions dead-set on defending existing protections for workers above the possibility of expanding them. They are worried that a constitutional convention could end up proposing rollbacks on pensions that are currently guaranteed in the state convention (ironically, the protection of pensions in NY state constitution came from the 1938 convention (link here, search the word "pension"). The constitutional convention could actually expand worker rights!

I think the concern that anti-union money will try to influence the process is real, but the risk of losing pensions is way overrated. New York is a very blue state likely to produce a progressive agenda in a constitutional convention. We have the power over who we elect to the convention, and we have the power to vote down any bad proposals. See Appendix A for a map of the convention electorate. See Appendix B for basics of the process.

3. Local control. This one is near and dear to my heart. Progressive agendas in New York City are constantly stifled by a lack of local control over taxes, regulations, and control of critical infrastructure. The current governor doesn't want to fix the subway? Give control of it back to NYC so we can fix it! Tired of affordable housing plans that rely on incentivizing tons of luxury housing? Give NYC the power to expand rent stabilization/control laws! NYC wants to ban plastic bags without permission from the governor? We need home rule!

4. Legal pot. For real. Worth mentioning again. I don't even like pot, but if that's your thing, a constitutional convention could totally get that done. Tell everyone who likes pot to vote yes!

Bottom line:

Even in terrible times - especially in terrible times - I want to stand for a politics that is hopeful and not fearful, a politics that is optimistic about the world we can build. I believe in New Yorkers, and I believe in the politics we can create if we only give ourselves the chance.

...However, if you need cold hard data analysis to convince you that a constitutional convention is not likely to be a disaster before you are ready to take the plunge, continue to Appendix A.

"Every 20 years, New Yorkers are asked whether or not to call a convention to revise the constitution. Voting YES kicks off a multi-year process that empowers the people of New York to take back our government from entrenched lobbyists and special interests. Voters have the ultimate power in every step of the process"

ALL of the elected positions that have power to set and oversee our $80+ Billion annual budget are up for election. In NYC many races are decided in the Democratic primary (where only 14% of eligible NYC voters voted in the recent primary in September, WTF?!?). Where was everybody?!? The primary passed, what's the point? See reasons above about the importance of the constitutional convention.